Smart meter awareness reaches new high… but will suppliers meet the deadline?

Smart meters are being installed across Great Britain, with energy suppliers required to offer one to all homes and businesses by the end of 2020.

And new research by smart meter body Smart Energy GB shows that awareness has never been higher, with 98% of people in England, Scotland and Wales saying they are aware of the new generation of gas and electricity meters.

People over the age of 65 are the most likely age group to own a smart meter: almost a quarter of those surveyed in this age group have one in their home.

The survey also found a similar level of uptake amongst people using prepay, with nearly a quarter having upgraded to the new technology, and 86% of those on smart prepay say they are likely to recommend them to family and friends.

Overall, the majority (83%) of people with smart meters say they have a better idea of what they’re spending on energy, and two thirds (67%) say they are more conscious of their energy use.

In fact, eight in ten (81%) people with smart meters have taken at least one step to use less energy.

However, while the benefits are clear, there are questions over whether suppliers can meet the 2020 target. Figures released at the end of August show that around 13.55 million have been installed so far – a long way from the 53 million there would be if every household and business had one.

Citizens Advice has called on the government to extend the rollout by three years to 2023, arguing that the time pressure caused by the current rollout deadline will lead to a poorer quality installation experience for consumers and risks reduced value for money.

In the meantime, many of those who don’t yet have a smart meter are keen to get one. Smart Energy GB found that almost half (44%) of people with a traditional meter want to get a smart one within the next six months.